A few years ago, giving away tool review samples became very time consuming, and I always felt bad when I couldn’t answer questions about a tool after it left my hands.
Which can drive in 3/8″ hammer drill bits faster, Bosch’s 12V Max hammer drill, or Milwaukee’s M12? That’s something that you need a tool in-hand to answer.
But while in theory it’s a good idea to hold onto test samples until all editorial potential is exhausted, this has become less practical.
My schedule has changed recently, for the better, and I have started working on a few projects, my testing and review backlog, and have been establishing good working practices for 2018.
One of my goals for this quarter is to greatly reduce my backlog, but also my test sample archive. It will take me a few months to do this, but the wheels have been set in motion.
So, it’s nearly time for me to give away some tools! Lots of tools. And in as fast and least-effort a way as possible, without costing me a fortune.
I’m still working out details about how to streamline giveaways of the smaller stuff, things like hand tools and small power tools.
I have an order of Priority Mail boxes on the way, as I anticipate that Flat Rate and Regional Rate boxes will help cut down on shipping costs for a lot of things.
I am also considering shipping out certain tools in Bosch L-Boxxes. I no longer transfer a lot of tools back and forth in L-Boxxes, and so I could stand to give some away – if I can pack tools securely within them, and can find a cardboard box size that won’t add too much to the dimensional cost.
As much as it will hurt my wallet, I will be creating an account at my local UPS Store. Being able to hand them something with a shipping label attached to it, and have them handle boxing and packaging will help me move certain things out sooner.
That is what has delayed me in the past – waiting for a sufficiently-sized box to reuse for a giveaway, or buying a box of approximately the right size.
I’ve been thinking that a lot of tools will be best grouped together for giveaway. It’ll be more economical, when it comes to shipping costs, not to mention easier for me to send out fewer boxes. Moving forward, I’m thinking I could group tools together and send out giveaway bundles every month or two.
I will have “final thoughts” about some of the tools that will be given away. A lot of these tools have been tested and posted about, even if they weren’t featured in a full-photo review. But I’d be a little happier giving them a final moment in the spotlight before sending them off forever.
I’ve been trying to think of a good way to do this. Quick videos? A photo and quickie mini new review post? A less formal mini mention on the ToolGuyd forum or Instagram? YouTube?
I also need to work out giveaway logistics details. Each giveaway might require the usual “leave a comment” entry component, but I will likely also ask for a Google Form to be filled out, with full shipping details. That way, I can pick a winner, pay for a shipping label, and then send a quick “you’ve won” email, rather than have to ask for shipping details in an email. I can create a single giveaway recipient list, so that you only have to fill it out once.
Thoughts? Preferences? Ideas? Objections?